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Off Target: The captivating, disturbing new thriller from the author of The Waiting Rooms

Author : Eve Smith

Publisher : Orenda Books

Page : 376 pages

File Size : 48,23 MB

Release : 2021-12-17

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1914585038

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Book Description

When a one-night stand leads to a long-desired pregnancy, Susan will do anything to ensure her husband won't find out ... including the unthinkable. But when something horrendous is unleashed around the globe, her secret isn't the only thing that is no longer safe... 'An astute, well-researched and convincing novel of ideas' The Times 'If you could create a "perfect" baby through genetic engineering, would you? A disturbing and interesting thriller, perfect for book club discussions' Nina Pottell, Prima 'Provocative, pacy and scarily all-too-possible' Philippa East ––––––––––––An unthinkable decision A deadly mistake In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect ... altering genes that may cause illness, and more... Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when an impulsive one-night stand her dream come true, she'll do anything to keep her daughter and ensure her husband doesn't find out ... including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now. But as governments embark on a perilous genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing symptoms – even taking their own lives – something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions... Bestselling author of The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith returns with an authentic, startlingly thought-provoking, disturbing blockbuster of a thriller that provides a chilling glimpse of a future that's just one modification away... _____________ 'An effective thriller that will keep you hooked to the very end ... more than that, it's a nuanced, believable examination of how human genetic engineering might play out...' SFX Magazine 'A brilliantly chilling work of speculative fiction – a disturbing but all-too-possible vision of the near future, where each of us gets to play God. Superb!' Guy Morpuss 'Sharp, intelligent, frightening and original' NB Magazine 'An eerily prophetic near-future viewed through a compassionately anchoring lens ... As tempting and tantalising a read as the vision of the future it presents' SciFi Now 'This is what speculative fiction should be – plausible, pacy, and with a story that packs real emotional punch' Louise Mumford 'When a writer's work is compared to Michael Crichton's, there's reason to sit up and pay attention ... a cautionary tale that's full of thrills' LoveReading 'Eve Smith has done it again! A brilliant read' J.M. Hewitt 'One of the most exciting writers around ... master of the high-concept thriller' Chris McDonald Praise for The Waiting Rooms***** 'Combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic' Guardian 'STUNNING and terrifying ... The Waiting Rooms wrenches your heart in every way possible' Miranda Dickinson 'Chillingly close to reality, this gripping thriller brims with authenticity ... a captivating, accomplished and timely debut from an author to watch' Adam Hamdy 'Engrossing and eye-opening, with heart-stopping plot twists ... a stunning medical thriller set in a terrifying possible future' Foreword Reviews For fans of Emily St John Mandel, Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen and Louise Doughty



Off Target

Author : Jill Ammon Vanderwood

Publisher : Human Rights Watch

Page : 134 pages

File Size : 44,15 MB

Release : 2019-01-28

Category : Juvenile Nonfiction

ISBN :

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Book Description

What would you do if your friend showed you a gun?You are new in town and it's your first day at a new school. Your neighbor, Trevor introduces you to a group of three boys and two girls. Right away you notice that Eric, one of the guys in the group, is being bullied at school. When you go to Eric's house with your new friends, he shows the group a fully loaded handgun that is left in his mother's nightstand. You are faced with some hard choices when someone suggests that Eric should take the gun to school.___________________________________________What should you do? It's time to choose a path: If you're worried that Eric will take the gun to school-continue on page 7.If you decide to take the gun to prevent anyone from being hurt-continue on page 9.If you leave the house with the others and plan to come back for target practice the next day-continue on page 10.____________________________________________Off Target is the first book in The Path You Choose series. You, the reader determine the outcome by the choices you make. Once you read one story, go back and choose a different story. There are thirteen possible endings in this book.What path will you choose



Irreversible Damage

Author : Abigail Shrier

Publisher : Simon and Schuster

Page : 180 pages

File Size : 40,45 MB

Release : 2020-06-30

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 1684510465

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Book Description

NAMED A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE ECONOMIST AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2021 BY THE TIMES AND THE SUNDAY TIMES "Irreversible Damage . . . has caused a storm. Abigail Shrier, a Wall Street Journal writer, does something simple yet devastating: she rigorously lays out the facts." —Janice Turner, The Times of London Until just a few years ago, gender dysphoria—severe discomfort in one’s biological sex—was vanishingly rare. It was typically found in less than .01 percent of the population, emerged in early childhood, and afflicted males almost exclusively. But today whole groups of female friends in colleges, high schools, and even middle schools across the country are coming out as “transgender.” These are girls who had never experienced any discomfort in their biological sex until they heard a coming-out story from a speaker at a school assembly or discovered the internet community of trans “influencers.” Unsuspecting parents are awakening to find their daughters in thrall to hip trans YouTube stars and “gender-affirming” educators and therapists who push life-changing interventions on young girls—including medically unnecessary double mastectomies and puberty blockers that can cause permanent infertility. Abigail Shrier, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, has dug deep into the trans epidemic, talking to the girls, their agonized parents, and the counselors and doctors who enable gender transitions, as well as to “detransitioners”—young women who bitterly regret what they have done to themselves. Coming out as transgender immediately boosts these girls’ social status, Shrier finds, but once they take the first steps of transition, it is not easy to walk back. She offers urgently needed advice about how parents can protect their daughters. A generation of girls is at risk. Abigail Shrier’s essential book will help you understand what the trans craze is and how you can inoculate your child against it—or how to retrieve her from this dangerous path.



The Waiting Rooms

Author : Eve Smith

Publisher : Orenda Books

Page : 400 pages

File Size : 35,79 MB

Release : 2020-04-09

Category : Fiction

ISBN : 1913193276

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Book Description

Swinging from South Africa to England: one woman's hunt for her birth mother in an all-too-believable near future in which an antibiotic crisis has decimated the population. A prescient, thrilling debut. 'Combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic' Guardian 'STUNNING and terrifying ... The Waiting Rooms wrenches your heart in every way possible, but written with such humanity and emotion' Miranda Dickinson 'Chillingly close to reality, this gripping thriller brims with authenticity ... a captivating, accomplished and timely debut from an author to watch' Adam Hamdy ________________ Decades of spiralling drug resistance have unleashed a global antibiotic crisis. Ordinary infections are untreatable, and a scratch from a pet can kill. A sacrifice is required to keep the majority safe: no one over seventy is allowed new antibiotics. The elderly are sent to hospitals nicknamed 'The Waiting Rooms' ... hospitals where no one ever gets well. Twenty years after the crisis takes hold, Kate begins a search for her birth mother, armed only with her name and her age. As Kate unearths disturbing facts about her mother's past, she puts her family in danger and risks losing everything. Because Kate is not the only secret that her mother is hiding. Someone else is looking for her, too. Sweeping from an all-too-real modern Britain to a pre-crisis South Africa, The Waiting Rooms is epic in scope, richly populated with unforgettable characters, and a tense, haunting vision of a future that is only a few mutations away. ________________ 'Engrossing and eye-opening, with heart-stopping plot twists ... a stunning medical thriller set in a terrifying possible future' Foreword Reviews 'A touching, gut-wrenching story of family mystery and tragedy ... a thriller that punches on two fronts – heart AND mind' The Sun 'Gripping and disturbing ... the medical research is convincing, the scenarios plausible, and the story is emotionally engaging. This is an incredible debut!' Gill Paul 'If the themes are dark and topical, the writing is exquisite. Breath held, I got to the finale with my heart in my mouth. Eve Smith weaves a complex and clever tale, merging countries and timelines; the result is a superb and satisfying novel' Louise Beech 'Margaret Atwood is one of my all-time writing heroes and The Handmaid's Tale is probably the best book I've ever read. Eve Smith and The Waiting Rooms really do challenge that long-held crown...' Random Things through My Letterbox 'Thoroughly engaging ... an eye-opening read' Crime Fiction Lover 'A novel of our times' Trip Fiction 'Haunting, honest and horrifying in its reality ... An epic and thrilling read' Book Literati 'Stunning dystopian debut. A prescient and alarming tale that seems just a whisper from reality' Suzy Apsley ' The Waiting Rooms will certainly distract us from the real world for a few hours and this is the immeasurable value of fiction. It gives hope that, as in Eve Smith's fictitious world, the possibility of a happy ending still exists' Die Burger ' The Waiting Rooms is a seriously impressive debut, a novel that is intuitive and chilling, one that will resonate with all in this current climate' Swirl & Thread



Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative—Statistical Update

Author : International Monetary Fund

Publisher : International Monetary Fund

Page : 48 pages

File Size : 15,43 MB

Release : 2016-03-17

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 1498345875

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Book Description

The HIPC Initiative and MDRI are nearly complete, with 36 countries having already reached the completion point under the HIPC Initiative. Chad, in April 2015, is the latest country to reach the completion point. Debt relief under the Initiative has alleviated debt burdens substantially in recipient countries and has enabled them to increase their poverty-reducing expenditure by over one and a half percentage points of GDP between 2001 and 2014. Creditor participation in the HIPC Initiative has been strong amongst the multilateral and Paris Club creditors; however participation from other creditor groups still needs to be strengthened. The total cost of debt relief to creditors under the HIPC Initiative is currently estimated to be US$74.8 billion, while the costs to the four multilateral creditors providing relief under the MDRI is estimated at US$41.6 billion in end-2014 present value terms.



Does It Matter?

Author : Alan W. Watts

Publisher : New World Library

Page : 141 pages

File Size : 26,45 MB

Release : 2010-09-07

Category : Philosophy

ISBN : 1577318390

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Book Description

This classic series of essays represents Alan Watts's thinking on the astonishing problems caused by our dysfunctional relationship with the material environment. Here, with characteristic wit, a philosopher best known for his writings and teachings about mysticism and Eastern philosophy gets down to the nitty-gritty problems of economics, technology, clothing, cooking, and housing. Watts argues that we confuse symbol with reality, our ways of describing and measuring the world with the world itself, and thus put ourselves into the absurd situation of preferring money to wealth and eating the menu instead of the dinner. With our attention locked on numbers and concepts, we are increasingly unconscious of nature and of our total dependence on air, water, plants, animals, insects, and bacteria. We have hallucinated the notion that the so-called external world is a cluster of objects separate from ourselves, that we encounter it, that we come into it instead of out of it. Originally published in 1972, Does It Matter? foretells the environmental problems that arise from this mistaken mind-set. Not all of Watts's predictions have come to pass, but his unique insights will change the way you look at the world.



Undistracted

Author : Bob Goff

Publisher : Thomas Nelson

Page : 234 pages

File Size : 43,33 MB

Release : 2022-03-01

Category : Self-Help

ISBN : 1400228115

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Book Description

The world has never been more distracting—joy has never been more possible. You live with a massive amount of distraction: desperate headlines smartphone scrolling an endless to-do list Not to mention the nagging questions of your heart: Am I making the right decision? Am I with the right person? Will my past mistakes keep me from my best future? Through the pithy and inspiring storytelling that has endeared him to millions, New York Times bestselling author Bob Goff invites you to laugh with more gusto, dream with more confidence, and love with more intention in this disarming call to live Undistracted. Bob’s stories are like the rumble strips on the road that make you suddenly alert to how far you have drifted from your lane. From visiting friends in San Quentin to accidentally getting into a stalker’s car at the airport to establishing Uganda’s first space program, Bob shows you the way back to an audaciously attentive life. Your undistracted life is an adventure waiting to happen. What stories will you live with undistracted purpose and unstoppable joy?



The Big Book of Five Nights at Freddy's

Author : Various Authors

Publisher : Triumph Books

Page : 274 pages

File Size : 17,62 MB

Release : 2022-02-01

Category : Games & Activities

ISBN : 1637271298

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Book Description

Step into the haunted and hair-raising world of Five Nights at Freddy's! With animatronic animals, dark shadows, creepy vibes, and an ever-present sense of doom, Five Nights at Freddy's has been perfecting its formula for scares since the first game debuted in 2014. The Big Book of Five Nights at Freddy's is the ultimate guide to this immersive universe, providing comprehensive tips, tricks, and strategies for every game in the series. Additional topics covered include the history of the rapidly expanding franchise as well as the fascinating storylines that are cleverly woven throughout the games, all accompanied by full-color gameplay photos. This deluxe hardcover volume is perfect as a collectible for the experienced fan or a practical guide for new thrill-seekers.



Pete the Cat's Groovy Imagination

Author : James Dean

Publisher : HarperCollins

Page : 40 pages

File Size : 15,37 MB

Release : 2021-09-07

Category : Juvenile Fiction

ISBN : 0062974122

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Book Description

An Instant New York Times Bestseller! When a cloudy gray sky cancels Pete the Cat’s beach day plans, a big box is all he needs to beat the rainy-day blues. Pete the Cat wants to go surfing, but he looks outside and—oh no!—it’s gray and rainy. Does Pete get sad? No, he doesn’t! Instead, he finds a really big and GROOVY box. Find out in this epic adventure just where Pete’s imagination takes him. From the authors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat series, James and Kimberly Dean, this out-of-the-box picture book is reminiscent of Pete favorites like Magic Sunglasses and perfect for fans of Not a Box by Antoinette Portis. Don't miss Pete's other adventures, including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, Pete the Cat and the New Guy, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, and Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party, and Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!.



Make Life Beautiful

Author : Syd McGee

Publisher : Harper Horizon

Page : 224 pages

File Size : 46,63 MB

Release : 2020-10-27

Category : Business & Economics

ISBN : 0785233881

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Book Description

Stars of the hit Netflix series Dream Home Makeover Syd and Shea McGee offer fans a new and intimate look into how they built their business in this bestselling autobiography. Do you want to live the best version of your life? Learn how Syd and Shea prioritized their values, defined their goals, and put their dreams into action—going from flat broke to design superstars—all while following their motto to “make life beautiful.” Most importantly, discover how you can do the same! For the one million-plus followers who turn to Syd and Shea McGee for advice on building a beautiful home and life, Make Life Beautiful is a behind-the-scenes look into how the couple transformed Shea’s small room of fabric samples and big dream of becoming a designer into one of the most successful and fastest-growing interior design businesses in the country. In Make Life Beautiful, Syd and Shea inspire you on how to build an authentic life by applying design principles such as: Embrace the process Get to the next level Find balance Elevate the everyday Make Life Beautiful is essential for entrepreneurs, interior designers, working parents, couples building a family & career, and anyone else chasing their dreams. Both longtime and new fans will gain insight into how the McGees built such a successful company. Don't miss Shea's long-awaited interior design book, The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home. Now available.